Apparatus for oil production amplification by spontaneous emission of radiation



United States Patent [72] inventor: Robert V. New

2501 Cedar Springs Road, Dallas, Texas 75201 [21] Application No.2641,825 [22] Filedi May 29, 1967 [45] Patented: Aug. 4, 1970 [54]APPARATUS FOR OIL PRODUCTION AMPLIFICATION BY SPONTANEOUS EMISSION OFRADIATION 8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

52 us. 01. 166/52, 166/60, 166/272, 166/303 [51] Int. Cl, E211) 43/24[50] Field ofSearch 166/1 1, 39, 40, 57, 60,177, 52; 175/16; 219/1211,277, 278; 331/945 Inq; 166/272, 302, 303

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,457,419 6/1923Wolcott..... l66/39X 2,134,610 10/1938 Hogg 166/60 2,670,801 3/1954Sherborne I 166/177X t TO Leinwoll, Stanley: Understanding Lasers andMasers, New York, Rider PubL, 1965, pp. 6- 8, 29- 32.

Primary Examiner- Marvin A. Champion Assistant Examiner- Ian A. CalvertI Attorney-Strauch, Nolan, Neale, Nies and Kurz ABSTRACT: Apparatus forthe recovery of viscous crude petroleum from a natural reservoir by useof heat by utilizing gases herein set forth of suitable energy levels,and an electromagnetic wave transducer for exciting the atoms andmolecules of the gas or gas mixtures or causing interaction between themand the transducer discharged electromagnetic waves (i.e., populationinversion or collision, second kind") that will emit radiation in theinfrared sector of the electromagnetic spectrum.

TORAGE ANK Patented Aug. 4,1970 3,522,842

Sheet 1 of 2 5 INVENI'OR Robert M New ATTORNEY5 Patented Aug. 4, 1970Sheet INVENTOR Robe/f V. New

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ATTORNEYS US. PATENT 3,522,842 APPARATUS FOR OIL PRODUCTIONAMPLIFICATION BY SPONTANEOUS EMISSION OF RADIATION BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION The subject invention concerns new, novel, efficient andeconomical apparatus for use in recovering viscous hydrocarbon oil fromporous and permeable natural reservoirs in the earth, and furtherconcerns new and unique designs of certain apparatus to materiallyassist in the same.

Viscous hydrocarbon oil usually occurs in natural reservoirs of porousand permeable matrix, the oil existing within the interstices of suchmatrix. The matrix usually consists of quarzitic or dolomitic sandgrains or of limestone. The interstices vary in size. and continuity asthe size and shape of the solid formation particles of the matrix varyfrom reservoirto reservoir, indeed even from place to place within asingle reservoir. Numerous fine fractures interlace the matrix, beinginterstices themselves. Viscous hydrocarbon oil is restricted in itsflow from its position within such interstices because of the propertiesof cohesion which are the very essence of viscosity; at naturalreservoir temperatures such oil is too thick and cohe sive to flowthrough the openings of the matrix and thence into a drilled well to beproduced.

It is well known in the petroleum sciences that heat reduces theviscosity of hydrocarbon oil in spectacular fashion, that i theapplication to high. viscosity hydrocarbon oil of even a modest amountof heat canproduce a reduction of viscosity that can approach -100/I oreven 1000/ 1. Such viscosity reduction is-now beingundertaken, amongprior art methods, by the introduction of steam intosuch natural oilreservoirs for heating purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION My invention utilizes the introduction into anoil bearing natural reservoir containing viscous hydrocarbon oil ofheated gas selected from .the noble gases (i.e., helium, neon, argon,krypton, xenon, radon) and in addition also nitrogen and car- ;bondioxide, and/or mixtures of two or more'thereof, and

causing such gases to be excited by electromagnetic waves, in

a manner to emit infra-redradiation.

, An important object of my invention is to provide new, novel,economical andefficient apparatus to create heat energy within naturalreservoirs containing high viscosity'oiL'and to impartflowability tosuch oil.

An important object ofmy inventionis to provide means of applying,reenforcing' and controlling thetransducer discharged electromagneticwave energy to be applied to the mixture of gases herein'provided for.

described lvlix'ti ires of certain of these gases of suitable energylevels (suchgas Helium and Neon,'orCarbon Dioxide and Argon, or CarbonDioxide and Nitrogen and Helium) will emit infra-red radiation'wifenmixed in proper proportion and the mixtures excited by application ofoptimum electromagnetic wave energy.

An important objectofmyinvention is to provide an efficient, simple andeconomical transducer apparatus comprised of several joints of tubingconnected by threaded couplings forming a continuous conduit and anelectricalcable spiralled thereabout and connected to eletrodes atpre-selected locations in the conduit to impact electromagnetic wavedischarges into the gas to cause ionization of the gas as it descendsthrough said conduit.

Another important object of my invention is to provide as an alternatetransducer apparatus a small diameter casing BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THEDRAWINGS Further objects of the invention will appear from the followingdescription and appended claims when read in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 illustrates schematically in partial cross-section aconventionally completed well in a natural oil bearing reservoir fittedwith suitable apparatus for practicing this invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged schematic elevational view of the conduitprovided by the apparatus of FIGURE 1 to introduce gas into the naturaloil bearing reservoir and the electrical cable and electrodes all ofwhich together form an electromagnetic wave transducer suitable forpracticing this invention;

FIGURE 3 is a detailed sectional view on an enlarged scale of one of thethreaded couplings employed in the conduit of FIGURE 2 to join thelengths of tubing and create a continuous conduit with electrical cableand electrodes by which electromagnetic wave discharges are impactedinto the gas conducted to the natural reservoir through the tubing;

FIGURE 4 illustrates schematically in partial cross-section adirectionallydrilled well employing perforated casing in the lowerportion of the natural oil bearing reservoir positioned approaching thehorizontal for a relatively long distance and cooperating with verticalbore holes cased to conduct gas to the natural reservoir and house thenecessary cable and electrodes to form an alternate type of transducerand form suitable apparatus for practicing this invention;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the vertical bore holesof FIGURE 4 illustrating the relatively small diameter casing that maybe used to introduce gas into said reservoir and house the electricalcable and electrodes exposed to the gas to impact electromagnetic wavedischarges thereinto and practice this invention;

FIGURE 6 schematically illustrates a 5 spot application of thisinvention useful in recovering petroleum from a finite area of areservoir within the effective range of a single bore hole fitted topractice this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT subjected to a cycle of heating theoil in place followed by a cycle of producing the oil and delivering itto a storage tank. FIGURE 1 illustrates a preferred adaptation of theinvention to such a conventionally completed well suitably equipped to,apply the invention. In such a well adaptation, the solid casing 1extends from the surface to the top of the oil bearing zone,

perforated casing 2 extends through the oil bearing zone, and acontinuous conduit 3, made up of joints of tubing (each joint usually20' long) the several joints of which are connected by threadedcouplings 5, is introduced to apply this invention. Gas, which may be anoptimum mixture of helium and neon, or carbon dioxide and argon, orcarbon dioxide and nitrogen and helium, or other suitable mixtures, ispumped into tubing 3 at the surface and is conducted therethrough andexuded intoperforated casing 2 below packer 9 which is set at the bottomof solid casing I, and thence through the perforations of perforatedcasing 2 into the oil bearing zone. Inserted through couplings 5 areelectrodes 6 the output of which impacts into the gas mixture ionizing'electromagnetic waves, which waves are generated on the surface by a waveenergy source genera tor G of conventional well known design, conductedtherefrom to electrodes 6 by means of electrical cable 4.

I As the gas mixture moves down through tubing 3 it is subjected to aseries of repeated electron impacts at each preselected location ofelectrodes 6. Assuming for'this exampic that the upper limit of the oilbearing zone is 500 deep and the lower limit 600' deep as many as thirtyelectrodes 6 energized through electrical cable 4 may be employed ifdesired to successfully practice this invention. As the gas movesthrough tubing'3 each successive electrode 6 reenforces the impacteffect thus intensifying the interaction of the transducer dischargedelectromagnetic waves and the atoms and molecules of the gas or mixtureof gases resulting in tremendous emissions of radiation in the infra-redsector of the electromagnetic spectrum (in the order of trillionelectrical impulses per second) and heating of the gas to be introducedinto the natural oil bearing reservoir.

Specifications and characteristics may be determined, in-

conventional ways forming no part ofthis invention, to reach adetermination of the physical characteristics and fluid content of theoil bearing zone. Dependent upon this ascertainable information, and aknowledge of the specifications of the mixtures, volume, pressure, andinput velocity of the gas or mixture of gases to be used,and thetemperature desired (perhaps 300 F.) to be achieved in the oilbearing'zone to greatly reduce the viscosity of the fluid content andimpart fio'wability to such fluid content of the reservoir, mathematicalcomputation canbe'made to determine the length of time this in-put..heating cy.cle should be extended to achieve the optimum heatingresult. v The following cycle. of producing the oil and delivering it toa storage tank is entirely conventional; the input of gas through tubing3 is-stopped and the in-put ofelectromagnetic wave impactsthroughelec'trodes 6 is stopped. The oil enters production tubing 7through pump 8 and is thence pumped to the'surface by conventionalmeans, that are not part of this invention, thence to an oil storagetank.

The cycles may be repeated. As the heated gases physically combine intoa homogenous mass with the hydrocarbon molecules, individual grains ofthe matrix and hydrocarbon molecules become surrounded by a millionth ofan inch. Yet, such thin-layer gases display the characteristics neededfor maintaining gas wet conditions in the reservoir, and for maintainingheat radiation, thus increasing oil fiowability. The-.transducerofthisinvention isdesigned ,to apply to such gases a series of repeatedelectromagnetic wave impacts at pre-selected intervals, each successiveimpact reenforcing the excitation effect upon said gases to effectmaximum radiation in the infra-red (heat) sector of the electromagneticspectrum. Thus the transducer subjects the gas or mixtureof gases toelectromagnetic wave impacts which cause out-put radiation emissions atfrequencies millions of times greater than the in-put frequencies,

The emissions herein provided for would, of necessity, be less coherentand intense than the emissions of a. laser of the pulsed ruby type, anddesirably so. Pulsed ruby type emissions last for only a very smallfraction of a second' and generate heat up to thousands of degrees F.Any sizeable fraction of such heat would carboriize the oil in place.Emissions as here described would cause less coherence than the pulsedruby type laser but, coherence of the laser may be a secondaryconsideration unless focusing at a long distance is desired. And, i

the subject type is continuous, not pulsed.

. As the temperature rise required in the hydrocarbon oil in any coolingequipment as in a laser instrument. As the hydrocarbon oil and in turnthe reservoir matrix (lower temperature bodies), absorb the radiation(infra-red emissions) from the entering superheat gas (Warm temperaturebody) the total purpose of the emissions is accomplished; the viscosityof -the oil is greatly reduced, cohesion between the hydrocarbonmolecules themselves, and between the hydrocarbon moleculesand the solidformation particles of the matrix, becomesgreatly reduced and the oilflows through the interstices of the matrix and thence into a drilledwell to be pumped to the surface and captured.

' Of utmost importance to the present invention, simultaneous with thepassage of the gas or mixtureof gases down the tubing from the surfacetov the point or points of injection into the said reservoir, the gas ormixture of gases is subjected to ionizing electromagnetic wave impactsat one or a multiplicity of times and places as it travels through thetubing to cause excitation of the atoms and molecules of said gas ormixture of gases, thus'creating stimulated emission of radiation in theinfra-red sector of the electromagnetic spectrum (heat). ln this way thetransducer can-be made" to operate so as to con- ,trol the frequency andintensity and to reenforce the molecule-atom-electromagnetic waveinteraction by preselecting the placement of the electrodes along thetubing to impact the mixture of gases.

As an example, the upper limit ofthe oil impregnated reservoir is hereassumed to be at a depth of 500' and the lower limit at the depth of600' the oil' impregnated reservoir 100 thick, with ascertainablespecifications and characteristics of the matrix thereof and of thefluid content thereof. The total length of the tubing through which themixture of gases is conducted approaches 600'. According tothe abovesaid ascertainables, and to the specifications of the mixture of gasesand ferent, as desired to achieve the optimum of emission radiation.Series of'impacts may even be applied intermittently. The atoms andmolecules of the gases are thus brought to an optimum state-ofexcitation and radiation.

DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATE APPARATUS and capillarity of the hydrocarbonmolecules to each other and to the reservoir matrix. The contact of thehot gases materially reduces viscosity and imparts the necessaryflowability to the oil content of the reservoir.

FIGURE 4 of the drawings illustrates a directionally drilled well inwhich solid pipe 1 extends from the surface to the top of the oilbearing reservoir, perforated casing 2 assumes in the lower portion ofsuch oil bearing zone a position approaching the horizontal andcontinues approximately horizontally for a relatively long distance inorder to present a maximum drainage area for the gravity flow of the oilinto such perfora ted casing 2. The horizontal extension of perforatedcasing 2 may be as much as 1,000 feet, or even more, Such directionallydrilled well is equipped with production tubing 7 and pump 8 only, as itis utilized only to accumulate the oil and pump it to the surface.

FIGURE 4 also illustrates three vertically drilled cased holes furtherillustrated in detail in FIGURE 5. Each consists of solid casing 21extending from the surface to the top of the within the oil'bearingreservoir. Electrical cable 4 hangs vertically within said solid casing21 and perforated casing 22 with electrodes 6 at'pre-selected locationsupon electrical cable 4. Gas in-put pipe 12 extends only into the verytop of the cavity of solid casing 21. Parts 7 and 8 as illustrated inFIGURE 1 are not included in these wells since they are not utilized toaccumulate oil or to pump it to the surface, these only function as ishereinafter set forth.

In FIGURE 5 the diameter of solid casing 21 and perforated casing 22 isrelatively small, probably no more than that of continuousconduit 3 asillustrated in FIGURE l; it may consist of joints of,2 1/2" tubing withregular tubing couplings.

, The gas or mixture of gases as selected and used in this invention isintroduced into the top of solid casing 21 through gas in-put pipe 12,and thus solid casing 21 and perforated casing 22 function not only ascasing of bore-hole but also as tubing 3 functions in Example 1illustrated by FIGURE 1. This alternate transducer structure may besubstituted for tubing 3 and its electrical cable 4 and electrodes 6 asillustrated in FIGURE 1 if desired.

FIGURE 4 illustrates only three such wells, but any suitable number ofsame may be utilized in conjunction with this Example 2. Assuming thatthe horizontal perforated casing 2 of the directionallydrilled wellextends laterally for 1,000 feet it may be to best advantage in thepractice of this invention to have as many as ten such vertical wellsabove, and along the path of or, in reasonable proximity to, theextension of hori- 'zontal perforated casing Z of the directionallydrilled well to materially reduce viscosity and impart flowability tothe oil content of the reservoir. 2

In these vertically drilled wells the gas or mixture of gases moves downthrough solid casing 21 and perforated casing 22 and in passingtherethrough is subjected-to electromagnetic wave impacts at eachelectrode 6, and then passes into the natural reservoir. ...T he effectis precisely identical as is described in Example 1 hereof.

As the oil in the reservoir is acted upon as therein described it flowsby gravity into perforated casing 2 of the directionally drilled welland is accumulated and pumped to the surface oil I storage tank by pump8 through production tubing 7.

DESCRIPTION OF FURTHER ALTERNATE APPARATUS Example 3 represents theadaptation ofthis invention to the 5 spot system. FIGURE 6 illustrates afield pattern in which 4 conventionally completed wells 10 are spaced inrelatively.-

equaldistance from each other. Each of wells 10 is according to thedetailof FIGURE l except that parts 3, 4, 5 and 6 thereofarenot includedas each well 10 is utilized only to accumulate and pump oilto thesurface through tubing 7. Well 11is spaced relatively equal distancefrom all wells 10 and is precisely to the detail of FIGURE 5 and iscontinuously operated in the same manner and for the same purpose as aFIGURE 5 well asabove described in Example 2, that is to causesignificant reduction of the-viscosity and flowability of the oil so itmay be accumulated in and produced through wells 10.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom thespirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be con- 'sidered in all respects asillustrative'and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims 3 f rather than by the foregoingdescription,'and all changes whichcome within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

' Iclairnr Apparatus for recovering oil from a natural reservoir compsing:

I a) pipe means extending from the surface into said reservoi'r forconveying gas, that is chemically inactive as to thehydrocarbonconstituents of the reservoir and capable of emittinginfrared,into a well bore in fluid communication with said reservoir,said pipe means within said reservoir being perforated to permit readyegress of the conveyed gas into the well bore and reservoir;

b) electromagnetic wave energy transducer means operatively associatedwith said pipe means for applying ionizing impacts to the conveyed gasin a manner to effect an interaction between the electromagnetic wavesand the gas atoms and molecules causing a resultant emission ofinfra-red radiation heating the gas conveyed into the well bore therebyheating the reservoir to a temperature sufficiently high to reduce theviscosity of the contained oil and free it to flow to a subsurfacecollection point; and

c) a conventionally completed well having its lower cased end formed anddisposed in said reservoir at said subpredetermined time interval toassure optimum heating of the reservoir area.

3. The apparatus of Claim 2 wherein the pipe means and electromagneticwave energy means is mounted within the conventionally completed well.

4. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the pipe means com prises lengths ofsmall diameter bore-hole casing conventionally coupled in end-to-endrelation and the electromagnetic wave energy transducer means comprisesa plurality of electrodes connected at predetermined spaced intervals toa supply cable extending from a source of electrical energy lengthwiseof said bore-hole casing to selectively maintain an electromagnetic waveimpact from said electrodes upon the supplied gas for a predeterminedtime interval to assure optimum heating of the reservoir area.

5. The apparatus of Claim 4 wherein the small diameter bore hole casingand the electromagnetic wave energy transducermeans is mounted withinthe conventionally completed well.

6. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the conventionally completed wellcomprises a well casing having an annularly perforated section extendingvertically through the reservoir area and said pipe means forms aportion of the electromagnetic wave energy transducer means and extendsaxially within the casing of said conventionally completed well.

7. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the conventionally completed wellcomprises a directionally drilled well having a casing section formedwith a perforated'wall portion and adapted to be disposed along thelower portion of a subsurface oil bearing reservoir, said pipe meanscomprises respective lengths of small diameter bore-hole casingconventionally coupled in end-to-end relation in a series of verticaldrill holes arranged in alternating laterally spaced relation to saidperforated well casing section, and said electromagnetic wave energytransducer means includes said respective lengths of small diameter borehole casing and respective lengths of electric cable supported by saidcasing and having electrodes connected thereto at predetermined spacedintervals and arranged to maintain an electromagnetic wave impact uponthe supplied gas in each drill hole for a predetermined time interval toassure optimum heating of the reservoir area.

8. The apparatus of Claim ll wherein the conventionally completed wellcomprises a well casing having an annularly perforated section extendingsubstantially vertically through the reservoir area, and said pipe meanscomprises respective lengths of small diameter bore hole casingconventionally cou- 1 pled in end-to-end relation in a series ofvertical drill holes arsmall diameter bore hole casing and respectivelengths of electric cable supported by said casing and having electrodesconnected thereto at predetermined spaced intervals and ar- I energytransducer means includes said respective lengths of ranged to maintainan electromagnetic wave impact upon the supplied gas in each drill holefor a predetermined time interval to assure optimum heating of thereservoir area.

